CRA Newsletter Spring 2007

TULSA MEETINGS EMPOWER FOR SERVICE AND JOY

by Rita Bennett

On, April 11th, I returned home from “Empowered 21st Century.” It took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma April 7–10, 2010. Eight thousand people, half of whom were age 30 and under, came together to celebrate their faith.

Oral Robert’s University hosted the event, and William Wilson from the International Center for Spiritual Renewal, Cleveland, Tennessee was Chairman. All University classes were closed so students could attend the numerous Workshops as well as morning and evening large gatherings. The theme for the Congress was Purity, Passion, and Purpose.

April, 2010 was chosen because it is the 50th Anniversary for those historic, charismatic churches who proclaim empowerment of the Holy Spirit today, and the 109th year of the beginning of the Pentecostal outpouring in Topeka, Kansas.

At this Tulsa conference, the Pentecostal denominations and the historic Charismatic denominations came together to join hands, integrate, and affirm one another. Ninety-five nations were represented in this historic gathering.

My late husband, The Rev. Dennis J. Bennett, was honored with the “Pioneer Award for Spiritual Trail–Blazing” that began 50 years ago, in Van Nuys, California.

I was asked to receive the honor for him before 8,000 cheering people! I thought to myself, “I hope our Lord is allowing Dennis to see this from Heaven’s ‘Cloud of Witnesses’ balcony.”

Mrs. Bobi Hromas, from California was asked to receive the honor on behalf of her grandfather the Rev. Charles F. Parham for his “Spiritual Trail–Blazing” that began 109 years ago, at Topeka, Kansas.

Dr. Mark Rutland, President of Oral Roberts University, presented the trophies to us. A number of other leaders also received trophies.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Via golf cart I was transported to the Graduate Building, where I presented a Learning Conversation “An Episcopalian Charismatic Pentecostal Speaks Out.” Fortunately I was prepared with a PowerPoint presentation with pictures, scriptures, with a theme of honoring Dennis’s life and ministry. Though I lost 20 minutes getting from building to building, I still had 40 minutes for my presentation.

Ed Rybarczyk, Vanguard University was co-chair (far left above). The five charismatic leaders in the Golden Update were: Larry Christensen, Lutheran; (myself) Rita Bennett, Julia Duin, the Washington Times, Episcopalian; Oreste Pesare, Catholic, and Gary Moore, Methodist (not shown); with a panel discussion the second afternoon. Dr. Russ Spittler, Fuller Theological Seminary chaired the meeting.

CONCLUDING SESSION

On the final evening, six speakers from mega churches came from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America, where after they spoke, they anointed people for impartation for ministry. Ten thousand people attended that evening session at the Mabee Center at ORU.

HISTORY

In the early church, 2000 years ago, it was common for Christians to believe in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit such as, healing, discernment, words of wisdom, and to expect them in their meetings.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, this went on for quite a few centuries. Eventually it began to fade.

Dennis began to personally re-discover these nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1959 and 1960.

He found that there was no place in the Bible that said they had passed away. “If they were no longer available,” he taught, “it would be like christening a new ship with champagne and thinking after that, no more fizz water and excitement is needed or wanted.”

In this metaphor, the Church is the ship, and the champagne is the power of the Holy Spirit and His imparted gifts.
The Church today needs more power rather than less power!

Jesus’ final words on earth before His ascension were, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8 kjv mod).

The 9 Supernatural Gifts of power are:
REVELATON GIFTS (Knowing)
A word of Wisdom
A word of Knowledge
Discerning of spirits
POWER GIFTS (Doing)
Gift of Faith,
Healing gifts
Gift of Miracles
VOCAL GIFTS (Speaking)
Gift of Prophecy
Gift of Spiritual Tongues
Interpretation

WE NEED EMPOWERMENT

The “gifts” of the Spirit come from the Greek word “Charismata” and are listed in I Corinthians 12:7–11.

Dennis said, “What is happening to people today when they receive the freedom of the Spirit is just the same as the first, except that now we understand much more about it.

“The church is not primarily a preaching or teaching institution. It must be charismatic.

“It must manifest the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, for they are the continuing signs that Jesus is alive and ready to bless people now.” (Bennett, Dennis, God’s Strength for this Generation, Charisma magazine, April 2010, p. 56).

For more on Bennett, see second April article in “Charisma” magazine, p. 16, Charismatic Renewal Marks 50 Years.
Let’s take some time to pray, “Come Holy Spirit… Reveal the supernatural gifts to me, as shown in the entire Bible. Empower me for service and joy.”

Focus on Regent University

March 17 – 21 I traveled to Regent University at Virginia Beach, VA. I had been pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation to help celebrate Dr. Pat Robertson’s 80th Birthday. I have never been to so many wonderful dinner parties over a period of three days. Pat’s explanation was, “You can only be 80 once.”

It was fun to attend a Christian Broadcasting Network telecast with Pat Robertson and Terry Meeuwsen. The last time I was on CBN with Terry was in 1997 when my book To Heaven and Back had just been published.

I’ll never forget the surprise when I got off the plane in Chicago. A lady was waving a copy of my book asking me for an autograph. She had watched my interview on CBN, but how she found me in the airport was strictly a “God thing!”

It was special to see and talk to Dede, Pat’s wife, and to wish Pat a Happy Birthday. I had a good visit with Gordon, their son, and partner in ministry. I also met Dr. Carlos Campo who will be the next President of Regent University, beginning later this year. Pat will semi-retire but will continue on his CBN television programs.

An added blessing was to have librarian, Bob Sivigny, show me the location where Dennis’s archives are being processed so students can research his life. I had sent 15 boxes of archivable materials to the Library, January 2010. I still have four more boxes waiting for me to review before sending.

I’m so glad that I can honor Dennis by making a home for the record of his life on earth. I had collected boxes of materials for almost two decades and it felt good to have them in a good, safe place.

Special Prayer Requests

Please pray for our CRA Teacher, Gail Patton who has been a missionary to Africa since 1999. She helped to develop the African translation of the Emotionally Free Course. Her outreach began in East Africa and then on to South Africa.

Gail has recently had surgery for cancer. Her emails let us know what to pray for and I quote:

“I finally woke up this week! That means that one morning I woke up and my thought processes, breathing, energy, etc. have begun to improve dramatically.

“I am very thankful for the good days and it is so good to feel more like myself right now. I am grateful for my Friend that ‘stays closer than a brother.’ I am so well-cared for and there are those in the body of Christ who walk this journey with me. In Africa, they say it takes a village to raise a child. I believe it takes the body of Christ to navigate through the difficult challenges life can bring. He is faithful and together we will see the victory.”

Please remember to pray for Gail. If you would like to send a note of encouragement, Gail’s email address is on our “teachers’ schedule” webpage at www.EmotionallyFree.org.

St. Luke’s, Seattle, WA, May 23

Rita will be speaking at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5710 - 22nd Avenue NW, Seattle, Washington on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, during the 9:00 a.m. service. Fr. John Roddam, Rector, has asked her to speak on the importance of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and to encourage people to receive.

E. F. National Seminars, July 19 – 24

Please pray for this event at Embassy Suites Hotel in Washington. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bruce Makowski, and Fr. Mike Messina will be back with us this year. Shirley Wilson, our National Lead Facilitator and CRA teacher will also be present, and we are excited to announce “Healing Hearts and Souls,” Shirley’s first book, will be coming out in time for our July Seminars!

Make plans to join us this July for this very special annual event!

THE DANGER OF DELAY

“I can always do this later . . . .”

Those may be some of the most dangerous words in the English language, especially when used by someone in need of emotional healing.

What happens when someone who has suffered most of their life from emotional damage puts off doing something about it for six more months?

Their own emotional turmoil extends to their relationships with families, friends, colleagues. Marriages suffer, sometimes beyond mending. Children become estranged from their parents, often repeating the same mistakes their parents made. Problems at home often carry onto problems at work, causing damage to careers and finances. The additional damage done often creates even more guilt and severance of the person from their support network of friends and families, making the healing process even more difficult and extended in time.

Do you need emotional healing? Does someone you know––a family member, friend, or colleague––need emotional healing? Make a commitment today by reserving seat(s) at the Emotionally Free National Seminar, July 19–21 (Basic Course), and July 22–24 (Advanced Course).

The conference center is at Embassy Suites Hotel in Lynnwood, Washington, where you may also reserve your hotel room.

A detailed flier is enclosed for your convenience. Return your completed seminar registration form and payment to Christian Renewal Association Inc. by the EARLY BIRD deadline: June 22, and you will receive the maximum discount available!